As the glittering ceremony of the 96th annual Academy Awards draws near, the esteemed Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, prepares to host the event on March 10, with expectations soaring high among movie aficionados and industry stalwarts alike. The prestigious nominations list, unveiled by Deadline, signals a year of intense competition and cinematic triumphs.
Director Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer,’ a gripping biopic that delves into the life of the renowned physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, has emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive total of 13 nominations. The film’s leading-edge storytelling has riveted the attention of the Academy, placing it at the pinnacle of this year’s Oscar race.
Closely following suit is ‘Poor Things,’ a film that has garnered 11 nominations. This cinematic gem reimagines the narratives entwined within the society of its time, capturing audiences with its unique storytelling approach. The laudation continues with Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ which has secured 10 nods, firmly establishing it as a strong contender in the cinematic fray.
The nominations have shone a spotlight on a constellation of acting talents, with illustrious names like Jodie Foster, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and Robert Downey Jr. earning nods for their captivating on-screen performances.
For movie lovers keen to keep tabs on the potential winners, here’s the comprehensive list of nominees creating buzz in Tinseltown:
For Best Picture, contenders range from the thought-provoking ‘American Fiction’ and ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ to the high-energy ‘Barbie’ and ‘The Holdovers.’ Remarkable films such as ‘The Zone of Interest’ also feature on this prestigious list with much acclaim.
The category of Actor in a Leading Role is graced by the remarkable Bradley Cooper, alongside Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy, and Jeffrey Wright, each bringing a unique flavor to the silver screen.
In the Actress in a Leading Role category, the talent is equally resplendent, with Annette Bening, Lily Gladstone, Sandra Huller, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Stone vying for the coveted Oscar statue.
The Actor in a Supporting Role category sees a thrilling mix of actors including Sterling K. Brown, Robert De Niro, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Gosling, and Mark Ruffalo, each showcasing their exceptional acting prowess.
For their equally powerful performances, the following actresses have been nominated for the Actress in a Supporting Role category: Emily Blunt, Danielle Brooks, America Ferrera, Jodie Foster, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
The direction is the backbone of any cinematic masterpiece, and this year’s nominees reflect the pinnacle of directing craftsmanship. These include luminaries Justine Triet, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Jonathan Glazer.
Screenplays, both adapted and original, are recognized for their creativity and impact. Titles like ‘Anatomy of a Fall,’ ‘The Holdovers,’ ‘Maestro,’ ‘May December,’ and ‘Past Lives’ have earned their place in the category for Writing (Original Screenplay), while films such as ‘American Fiction,’ ‘Barbie,’ and ‘The Zone of Interest’ blaze trails in Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
International Feature Films such as ‘Io Capitano’ and ‘Perfect Days’ stand shoulder to shoulder in prowess, along with ‘Society of the Snow’ and ‘The Teachers’ Lounge.’
Animation has its celebrated place at the Oscars with Animated Feature Film nominees like ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ ‘Elemental,’ ‘Nimona,’ ‘Robot Dreams,’ and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ enchanting viewers of all ages.
True-life stories are given a platform with Documentary Feature Film nominations for ‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President,’ ‘The Eternal Memory,’ ‘Four Daughters,’ ‘To Kill a Tiger,’ and ’20 Days in Mariupol.’
The art of storytelling extends to short films, with exceptional works like ‘The Actor,’ ‘Invincible,’ ‘Knight of Fortune,’ ‘Red, White and Blue,’ and ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ being nominated for Live Action Short Film, while ‘The ABCs of Book Banning’ and ‘The Barber of Little Rock’ are among those recognized in the Documentary Short Film category.
Animations continue to charm in the short format with Animated Short Film nominations for creations like ‘Letter to a Pig,’ ‘Ninety-Five Senses,’ ‘Our Uniform,’ ‘Pachyderme,’ and ‘War Is Over!’
The artistry behind filmmaking is further celebrated with nominations for Film Editing, Production Design, Costume Design, Music (both Original Score and Original Song), Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Visual Effects encapsulating the full spectrum of film production mastery.
As March 10th approaches, the anticipation within the global cinematic community heightens, with all eyes waiting to see which masterpieces and maestros will carry home the ultimate symbols of filmmaking excellence. The Oscars 2024 promise to be an event studded with stars and stories, seeking to etch their names into the annals of Hollywood history.
